The recent Sprint Race and Qualifying day in Miami saw Fernando Alonso raising concerns over racially charged decisions by race stewards. The Spanish driver cited instances where he felt penalties were biased against him due to his nationality. These allegations have ignited intense discussions within the racing community, with Alonso highlighting sensitive issues of racial biases in sport. Alonso, with his experience in the racing circuit, brought to light concerns regarding the stewarding decisions that affected him and other drivers in recent events, such as penalties in Australia and China, as well as a non-penalty involving Lewis Hamilton in Miami, which he believed showcased inconsistent decision-making that may be influenced by nationality.
Alonso expressed his views vocally, stating that he believes nationality plays a role in the decisions made by race stewards. He emphasized that he needed to ensure there was no bias based on his nationality that could influence decisions, not just for himself but also for future generations of Spanish drivers. The incidents he highlighted included penalties for an alleged crash with George Russell in Australia and side contact with Carlos Sainz in China, as well as a move by Hamilton in Miami that he felt should have warranted a penalty but did not receive one. This has prompted Alonso to approach the FIA, accompanied by Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack, to address his concerns regarding potentially racially charged penalties.
In addition to the issues with penalties and stewarding decisions, Alonso faced difficulties with his car setup during qualifying in Miami, which significantly impacted his performance. He expressed disappointment with his 15th position after Q2, highlighting the lack of pace compared to previous races. The set-up changes made since the morning did not work as expected, resulting in understeer in high-speed corners and oversteer in low-speed corners, leading to a lack of grip on the car. Despite these challenges, Alonso remained hopeful that he and his team could score points in the upcoming race, especially with his teammate Lance Stroll starting in a more advantageous position.
The concerns raised by Fernando Alonso regarding potentially racially charged decisions by race stewards have brought attention to the complexities and nuances of the sport of Formula 1. The discussions surrounding bias based on nationality highlight the need for fair and consistent decision-making to ensure a level playing field for all drivers. Alonso’s willingness to address these issues head-on and seek clarification from the FIA reflects a commitment to promoting equality and transparency within the sport. As the racing community grapples with these challenges, Alonso’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing and confronting issues of bias and discrimination in all aspects of the sport.
